Mini Farming

March 15, 2010
Intensive growing methods can allow gardeners with small lots to offset seriously the yearly grocery bill. Markham has adapted, through years of experimentation, the techniques developed by such gardener-authors as Mel Bartholomew ("Square Foot Gardening") and John Jeavons ("How To Grow More Vegetables and Fruits"). In this revised and expanded version of his 2006 self-published book, now with almost double the text and with 250 color photographs, Markham suggests that a small family (with one outside income) can come out economically ahead by following his strategies, provided that their overhead is low and that they produce more calorie-dense foods in addition to vegetables and fruits. His instructions for projects show how to spend as little capital as possible in order to keep the operation economical, with plenty of references for more in-depth study. Although he does not cover wine and cheese making, there is plenty on soil minerals. VERDICT While not as hip as other recent books on urban homesteading, such as Carleen Madigan's "The Backyard Homestead" and Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen's "The Urban Homestead", this differs by focusing on practicality and the bottom line. A helpful addition, alongside Bartholomew and Jeavons, for the serious DIY gardener.Margaret Heller, Dominican Univ. Lib., River Forest, IL

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2010
More substantial than a pot of herbs on the windowsill or a couple of tomato plants out by the back deck but less intimidating than several acres of fertile loam rippling unbroken toward the horizon, mini-farming strikes a perfect middle ground. A concept destined to appeal to that intrepid individual whose independent nature finds the idea of abandoning the grocery store alluring, the benefits of growing ones own food promising better physical and financial health. Markham directs his wealth of knowledge of organic gardening methods on this slightly larger scale toward both hobbyists and experienced gardeners who possess a small plot of land and a large desire to take food-production matters into their own hands. Outlining the principles of intensive agriculture, Markham clearly and keenly demonstrates how practices such as raised beds, efficient use of planting space, and development of healthy soil can transform the hard work of vegetable gardening into a nutritional and economic boon.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)